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What We Can Learn from the Red Cross About Disaster Preparations

March is just around the corner, and the US will be entering into National Red Cross Appreciation Month. It’s a great time to make a donation, send a thank-you to Red Cross first responders or, take a half hour to donate blood, a hallmark of Red Cross support. Along with a show of thanks for an organization that has helped our nation through some tough times——this is also a good month to reflect on other aspects of disaster preparations.

The Red Cross made the news when thousands of volunteers from all over the country converged on the East Coast to aid those suffering from Hurricane Sandy in October of 2012. Thanks to the Red Cross, families all throughout the storm’s path were able to receive shelter, food, medical attention, and blood donations. For a region ravaged by a super storm, help from the Red Cross has been singularly crucial.

Most recently, the Red Cross is providing assistance to communities in Mississippi devastated by last week’s tornadoes which destroyed the Red Cross office in downtown Hattiesburg. They are working from a temporary location to continue serving the community food, health, and shelter.

As many may not be aware, the Red Cross is also a great resource for preparedness information. Their Web site includes checklists and other resources covering topics from chemical emergencies to winter storms — all with the mantra of being prepared.

Being prepared also means taking stock of your personal items, and reviewing your insurance policy to ensure all is up to date. It is likely that the value of your contents has changed significantly since you opened the policy, so make sure you coverage is updated to reflect those changes. Services such as Enservio’s Contents iTV program can assist you in determining your coverage needs; and if you have high value items, it may be beneficial for you to work with an art advisory service to guarantee your appraisals are up to date.

If disaster does strike, it is comforting to know that organizations such as the Red Cross are there to help, and companies like Enservio can mitigate some of the pain in returning your life to normalcy.